The New Orleans Saints made a move to acquire a proven NFL cornerback in the days following the draft, and the signing has the Mike Detillier stamp of approval.
That player is Martin Emerson Jr., who started at outside corner for the better part of two seasons for the Browns before suffering an Achilles injury last training camp.
"This is a good pickup for the Saints," Detillier said. "It’s a 1-year tryout to see if he can come back from the Achilles injury. It’s not costing you a ton of money and you give it a shot here for a guy who has been basically a two-year regular starter and not on a regular defense, that Browns defense was pretty doggone good, that’s all I can tell you and man, I’m glad to see him get another opportunity.”
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Emerson, 25, was a third-round pick out of Mississippi State in 2022 and appeared to be on the rise prior to his injury. Over his 50 games he's logged 202 tackles, 34 passes defensed and four interceptions, with all four coming in the 2024 season.
Detillier also points to the additional challenge he faced in starting opposite a star CB in Denzel Ward, a scenario that often meant Emerson was the one opposing QBs would choose to attack.
“He was able to hold up and man, I thought he was in for a huge payday and then he tears the damn Achilles and man, you hate to see that for him," Detillier continued. "I think this might really work out for the Saints here. He is an outside corner. He gets his hands on you and, again, he’s lengthy. He’s very patient as a defensive back. In essence, he kind of sees what you’re trying to do to beat him and he’s very patient coming out of transition."
Emerson joins a Saints defensive back room that is looking to replace the production of Alontae Taylor, who departed to join the Tennessee Titans in free agency. The Saints also added former Iowa CB TJ Hall in the 7th round of last week's NFL draft.
Taylor's role in defensive coordinator Brandon Staley's defense was in the slot, something that is unlikely to be filled by Emerson based on his career to this stage. It remains to be seen whom the Saints will turn to in that slot role -- called "star" in the scheme -- but they could potentially turn to one of last years starting CBs in Kool-Aid McKinstry or Quincy Riley should Emerson take over a starting job. They could also turn to a safety to make the transition, with Justin Reid, Jonas Sanker and Julian Blackmon potential candidates.
Emerson was just one of the Saints' free agent signings following the draft along with former Patriots outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings. New Orleans also sent a 5th round draft selection to the Raiders in exchange for former No. 7 overall pick Tyree Wilson.
